Myriapoda is a subphylum under the phylum, arthropoda. It consists of several classes, subclasses and genera in it. Let us discuss some of its characteristics below.
- Myriapods have a segmented body type, divided into two tagmata, head and trunk.
- Most segments have a pair of legs.
- Head segment has a pair of antennae, a pair of mandibles and one or two pairs of maxillae.
- Myriapods have a simple eye (except Scutigera).
- Myriapods have the upper lip of the mouth with a well defined epistome and labrum.
- The Myriapods are mostly terrestrial (though arisen from marine ancestors).
- They are phyto saprophagous in nature and help in breaking down decaying plant materials.
- Few members of myriapods are able to produce noxious secretions which cause blistering and discolouration of human skin.
- Some myriapods bite humans causing intense pain and discomfort.
- Few members of myriapods (class centipede) are nocturnal predators that means they have specialised hearing power and go hunting at night time (just like owls, raccoons, etc).
- Few myriapoda species (majorly centipedes and millipedes) show bioluminescence that means they are able to produce and emit chemical lights from their body.
Are myriapods insects?
Myriapods are a group of animals belonging under the phylum arthropoda which is also the mother phylum of class insecta. Let us find out if myriapods are insects or not.
Myriapods are not insects as they are not included under the class insecta. Class insecta includes pancrustacean hexapod invertebrates, that are insects. This class falls under subclass hexapoda. Insects have eight legs and complex eyes whereas myriapods have one pair of legs in each segment with simple eyes.
Are myriapods cold blooded?
Cold blooded animals are not able to maintain their body temperature with environmental changes. Let us find out if myriapods are cold blooded or not.
Myriapods are cold blooded. Just like other cold blooded animals they are not able to regulate their internal body temperature with the changing environment. The environmental changes control their metabolism directly hence they can not survive in extreme temperature conditions.
Including subclass myriapoda, entire phylum arthropods are cold blooded invertebrates. During warm season, the animals remain more active due to the heat activation. But in winter, they can not obtain heat from the environment. Hence, they become slow and sluggish.
Are myriapods vertebrates?
Vertebrates are a group of animals having a vertebral column or notochord at least in one stage of their lives. Let us find out if myriapods are vertebrates or not.
Myriapods are not vertebrates. They are one of the most common invertebrates classified under the phylum arthropoda. They do not develop a vertebral column or notochord in any stage of their lives, developing an exoskeleton.
Are myriapods carnivores?
Carnivores animals feed on the flesh of other animals. They are predators, who prey upon physically weaker animals. Let us know if myriapods are carnivores or not.
Some species of myriapods are carnivores. The class chilopoda or centipedes are exclusively carnivores in nature, they prey upon different weaker and smaller entities. But the other classes of myriapods are not carnivores, mostly saprophagous in nature.
What are the habitats of myriapods?
Myriapods are spread all over the world. Let us know about the habitats of myriapods.
Myriapods are mostly terrestrial arthropods found in moist forest ecosystems. A good number of myriapods species also live in the grasslands, semi-arid environment including deserts also. Very few members of myriapods are found in the sea shore area or coastal ecosystem.
Are arachnids arthropods?
Arachnids are a group of invertebrate animals that includes spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, pseudoscorpions, vinegaroons, etc. Let us know if arachnids are arthropods or not.
Arachnids are arthropods having an exoskeleton and eight pairs of legs in an adult body. Arachnids are classified under subphylum Chelicerata. Unlike insects they do not have antennae or wings. Their bodies are divided into two tagmata, such as promosa or cephalothorax and opisthosoma or abdomen.
Arachnids are one of the most common arthropod animals having more than 100,000 species in it. They are close relatives of myriapods as well as insects.
Are myriapods both marine and terrestrial?
There are more than 13,000 Myriapoda species all over the world living in different types of ecosystems. Let us know if myriapods areboth marine and terrestrial or not.
Myriapods can be both marine and terrestrial. Most myriapods are terrestrial, live in forest ecosystems and help in breaking down decaying plant materials. However, some fossil specimens of marine myriapods have been found, suggesting that the terrestrial myriapods may have arisen from marine ancestors.
Do myriapods have an exoskeleton?
Exoskeleton is an external skeleton that protects the animal body from outside mechanical forces and also brings different types of advantages to them.
Myriapods have an exoskeleton in their body. Including myriapods all other arthropod animals including chelicerates, crustaceans, insects, etc. have an exoskeleton outside their body. The main components of this exoskeleton are chitin and calcium carbonate, which make it harder and stronger.
Beside giving protection, the exoskeleton of myriapods also serve as attachment sites for muscles known as apodemes (ingrowths of exoskeleton).
Do myriapods have antennae?
Antennae are one of the most important sensory organs found in the bodies of invertebrate animals. Let us know if myriapods have antennae or not.
Myriapods have one pair of antennae in their head segment of body. Their antennae are one of the most important sensory organs in their body. They mainly help myriapoda animals to sense air motion, touch, vibration, heat, smell, taste, etc.
Are myriapods exclusively terrestrial?
Myriapoda includes a large number of arthropod animals having exoskeleton and jointed limbs in their body. Let us find out if myriapods are exclusively terrestrial or not.
Myriapods are not exclusively terrestrial animals. In recent times most of the myriapoda species lead a terrestrial lifestyle, but it is observed that, myriapods previously arose from some marine ancestors. That is why myriapods are not exclusively terrestrial.
Conclusion
As a whole we can say that myriapods are one of the most important arthropoda members found all over the world. They play a very significant role in recycling the nutrients. They serve as phyto saprophagous by breaking down the decaying plant materials. Hope our article on myriapods characteristics will be helpful to you.
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Hello, I am Piyali Das, pursuing my Post Graduation in Zoology from Calcutta University. I am very passionate on Academic Article writing. My aim is to explain complex things in simple way through my writings for the readers.